Coke oven pusher machine leveler bar seal

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for sealing the air gap between a leveler bar and the leveler opening in a coke oven, including a smoke sleeve and adjustable top and side seals within the smoke sleeve. The seals contact the leveler bar and the smoke sleeve.

[111 3,821,088 [451 June28, 1974 United States Patent [191 Barron 2 224 392 12/1940 lmes........ 214/23 2,268,316 12/1941 214/23 2 290 568 7/1942 McIntosh.,............................ 214/23 COKE OVEN PUSHER MACHINE LEVELER BAR SEAL [75] Inventor:

William E. Barron, Johnstown, Pa.

7 B 3] Asslgnee ethlehem Steel Corporation, Primary Examiner Norman Yudkoff Assistant Examiner-David Edwards Attorney, Agent, or Firm Bethlehem [22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1973 [21 Appl. No.: 343,599

-Joseph J. OKeefe [52] US. 202/269, 201/40, 202/263, [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. An apparatus for sealing the air gap between a leveler [58] Field of Search bar and the leveler opening in a coke oven, including 3 a smoke sleeve and adjustable top and side seals within the smoke sleeve. The seals contact the leveler [56] References Cited bar and the smoke sleeve.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 981,732 l/19Il Wilputte............................... 214/23 COKE OVEN PUSHER MACHINE LEVELER BAR SEAL FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to coke ovens and more particularly to an improved coke oven leveler bar seal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known in the art that conventional byproduct coke ovens employ a pusher machine which carries a leveler bar for insertion into a leveler opening to level the coal charge in the oven. It is also well known that the gap between the leveler bar and the leveler opening provides a path for undesirable air infiltration into the coking chamber or escape of gases from the interior of the chamber.

As exemplified by US. Pats. Nos. 2,290,568 and 2,268,316, issued July 21, 1942 and Dec. 30, 1941, respectively, a smoke sleeve is commonly used to seal the gap between the leveler bar and the leveler opening. This sleeve is carried on the pusher machine and can take the form of an elongated housing with a flanged front end which is pressed against thecoke oven in sealing engagement around the leveler opening. Even with this arrangement gas can still pass between the leveler bar and the sidewalls and topwall of the smoke sleeve. Therefore, there is a need for an improved leveler bar seal for coke ovens.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for sealing the gap around the coke oven leveler bar to substantially prevent air entry into the coking chamber or escape of gases from the interior of the chamber.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for sealing the gap between the leveler bar and a surrounding smoke sleeve.

It is a further object of this invention to provide improved adjustable seals which are maintained in contact with the sides and top of the leveler bar to seal the gap between the leveler bar and surrounding smoke sleeve as the leveler bar reciprocates within the smoke sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a pusher car smoke sleeve in sealing engagement with a leveler opening of a coke oven. with the leveler bar within the smoke sleeve and the improved seals.

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiment and best mode is described now by referring more particularly to the FIG URES. In FIG. 1, a conventional by-product coke oven is shown generally as I with a leveler opening 3. Pressed against the coke oven 1 in a sealing engagement is a smoke sleeve 5 having a front flange 7 which provides a seal around leveler opening 3 as is well known. Smoke sleeve 5 is formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls 9 and 11, a top wall 13, and bottom wall 15. Smoke sleeve 5 is carried on a pusher car, shown generally as 17, by support members 19 which are mounted on pusher car 17 according to the well known means not shown. Smoke sleeve 5 can move forward and backward on rollers 21 during the positioning of smoke sleeve 5. The drive means for positioning smoke sleeve 5 is well known, and is not shown. Extending within smoke sleeve 5 is leveler bar 23 which is also carriedby pusher car 17 by means not shown but well known in the art. The drive means for reciprocating leveler bar 23 is also well known in the art and is not shown. Levmeans 31 is first side seal 35, and slidably positioned in side seal guide means 33 is second side seal 37. First side seal 35 is in contact with sidewall 9 of sleeve 5 and side member 25 of leveler bar 23, while second side seal 37 is in contact with the other sidewall 11 of sleeve 5 and the other side member 27 of leveler bar 23. First side seal 35 and second side seal 37 are elongated U shaped members having a rounded apex front surface 39 in contact with side members 25 and 27, andsubstantially parallel legs 41 slidably extending into side I seal guide means 31 and 33. Legs 41 contact sidewalls 9 and 11. Side seal guide means 31 and 33 in sleeve 5 restrain movement of first side seal 35 and second side seal 37 respectively in the direction of movement of leveler bar 23 in sleeve 5 but permit movement in a direction transverse to the width of sleeve 5 substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of leveler bar 23. Yieldable means, shown generally as 43 interconnect first side seal 35 and second side seal 37 to maintain the first side seal 35 and second side seal 37 in contact with side members 25 and 27 of leveler bar 23.

Referring to F IG. 2, extending transversely across the width of sleeve 5 is top plate guide means 45 which is integral with and formed by top wall 13. Top plate 7 nected to side seal guide means 31 and 33 by bolts 51.

Flange 53 depends from top cover plate 49.

As seen more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, slidably positioned in top plate guide means 45 is first compression arm 55 and second compression arm 57. First compression arm 55 extends downwardly in side seal guide means 31. and contacts first side seal 35 between legs 41 adjacent front surface 39. Second compression arm 57 extends downwardly in side seal guide means 33 and contacts second side seal 37 between legs 41 adjacent front surface 39.

First compression arm 55 and second compression I arm 57 are held between U-shaped compression arm guide 59 and cover plate 61 which is retained in place by side seal guide means 31 and 33. Flange 53 seals the opening between top cover plate 49 and cover plate 61.

Referring again to FIG. 3, first pin 63 is fastened to first compression arm 55 at hole 64, through aperture 65 in cover plate 61. Second pin 67 is fastened to second compression arm 57 at hole 66 through oversized aperture 69 in cover plate 61 which permits adjustment of first and second compression arms 55 and 57. Bolt 71 has a shank 73 slidably extending through first pin 63 and Second pin 67. Spring 75 is concentrically mounted on shank 73 between second pin 67 and bolt head 77. Spring 75 is retained on shank 73 by spring seats 79 and 81. Tightening of nuts 83 on shank 73 compresses spring 75 which urges first compression arm 55 against first side seal 35 and second compression arm 57 against second side seal 37. Spring stop 85 is concentrically mounted on shank 73 between first pin 63 and second pin 67 to maintain the minimum closing of side seals 35 and 37, which keeps excessive side seal pressure off leveler bar 23. Spring stop 85 includes threaded end 87 whichis threaded into second pin 67 and lock nut 89 which is adjusted to permit movement of spring stop 85 to various positions to compensate for wear of first side seal 35 and second side seal 37.

By interconnecting first side seal 35 and second side seal 37 it is understood that they operate asan adjustable pair, and as leveler bar 23 moves in sleeve 5 and contacts one side seal, the otherside seal will automatically be brought into contact with the other side member of leveler bar23.

The U-shaped first and second side seals 35 and 37 provide single point contact with side members 25 and 27 and permit side-to-side movement of leveler bar 23 within sleeve 5 without loss of sealing contact.

In FIG. 2, a top seal is shown generally as 91 in contact with top wall 13 of sleeve 5. Top seal 91 includes elongated cover plate 93 slidably positioned on the top of leveler bar 23 and at least as wide as leveler bar 23. Upstanding flange 95 extends transversely across the front of cover plate 93 and slidably extends into top plate guide means 45 contacting upstanding member 47 formed by top wall 13. Cover plate 93 extends back along leveler bar 23 away from upstanding flange 95 a distance not less than the distance between two consecutive cross members 29. This length assures that cover plate 91 will contact the top of side members 25 and 27 and at least one cross member 29 at all times, substantially preventing air infiltration between consecutive cross members 29. Cover plate 93- can be hinged at an appropriate position to give it greater flexibility. Top seal 91 is free to float from side-to-side and up and down within sleeve 5 as leveler bar 23 moves.

Sealing between bottom plate 15 of sleeve 5 and the bottom of side members and 27 of leveler bar 23 is maintained by coal 97 which is pulled out of the coking chamber during reciprocation of leveler bar.

In operation, pusher car 17 is positioned in front of leveler opening 3, and smoke sleeve 5 is moved forward on rollers 21 until front flange 7 comes into sealing engagement aroundjust-opened leveler opening 3. Lev-' eler bar 23 is moved within smoke sleeve 5 and into leveler opening 3. Side seal 35 seals the air gap between side member 25 and sidewall 9 of smoke sleeve 5, while side seal 37 seals the air gap between the side member 27 and sidewall 11 of smoke sleeve 5. Side seals 35 and 37 are free to float in side seal guide means 31 and 33 from side-to-side with leveler bar 23 and provides free movement of leveler bar 23 the full height and width of smoke sleeve 5. Side seals 35 and 37 are maintained in contact with side members 25 and 27 of leveler bar 23 by yieldable means 43.

Top seal 91 seals the air gap between top wall 13 of smoke sleeve 5 and the top of leveler bar 23. Cover plate 93 seals the openings between consecutive cross members 29. Top seal 91 is free to float from side-to- 4 side and up and down within sleeve 5 as leveler bar 23 moves.

Upon completion of the leveling operation, leveler bar 23 is withdrawn from leveler opening 3 and leveler opening 3 is closed. Pusher car 17 moves on to the next station to repeat the cycle on another charge of coal.

In actual practice, the invention as described has been successfully employed in which the sleeve 5 is a rectangular tube-shaped structure made of inch steel plate by 6 feet 6 inches long. The sleeve opening'is 12 inches wide by 13 inches high. Leveler bar side members 25 and 27 are 1 inch steel plate 10 inches high, spaced apart 8 inches, and approximately 60 feet long, with 1 inch thick steel cross members 29 every 36 inches. Side seal guide means 31 and 33 are located on sleeve 5, 34 inches away from front flange 7. First and is /2 inch by 9 inches long. Spring is 2 in. 0.0. by

A inch diameter wire with 3 to 3-/2 inchesfree height.

Spring stop is inch O.D. SAE 1020 steel, and lock nut 89 is inch. Top seal 91 is /2 inch steel plate with elongated cover plate 93, 38 inches long.

This inventioncan be used with other types and sizes of leveler bars and the dimensions as well asthe material can be changed accordingly, without detracting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim: a

1. In combination with a coke oven having a leveler opening, a pusher machine having a sleeve formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom wall and adapted for sealing engagement with said opening, and a leveler bar formed by a pair of spaced side members connected by cross members and adapted for movement within said sleeve and said leveler opening to level coal in said coke oven the improvement comprising:

A. a first side seal in contact with one sidewall of said sleeve and one side member of said leveler bar and a second side seal in contact with the other sidewall of said sleeve and the other side member of said leveler bar;

B. yieldable means interconnecting said first and second side seals to maintain said first and second side seals in contact with said side members of said leveler bar; and

C. a top seal incontact with said top wall of said sleeve.

2. The invention of claim 1 which further includes:

D. side seal guide means in said sleeve adapted to restrain movement of said first and second side seals in the direction of movement of said leveler bar in said sleeve. v

3. The invention of claim 2 in which said yieldable means of subparagraph B includes:

Bl. top plate guide means in said sleeve extending transversely across said top plate of said sleeve; B2. a first and second compression arm slidably positioned in said top plate guide means with said first compression arm in contact with said first side seal and said second compression arm in contact with said second side seal; and

B3. spring means to urge said first and second compression arms against said first and second side seals.

4. The invention of claim 3 in which said top seal of subparagraph C includes:

Cl. an elongated cover plate slidably positioned on the top of said leveler bar;

C2. an upstanding flange extending transversely across the front end of said cover plate, said flange slidably extended into said top plate guide means; and

C3. said cover plate extending back along said leveler bar away from said upstanding flange, a distance not-less than the distance between two consecutive cross members.

5. The invention of'claim 4 in which said spring means of subparagraph B3 includes:

B3a. a first pin fastened to said first compression'arm and a second pin fastened to said compression arm;

83b. bolt means comprising said first and second pins with a shank slidably extending through said first and second pins; and

B3c. a spring concentrically mounted on said shank adapted to urge said first and second pins toward each other.

6. The invention of claim 5 in which said first and second side seals of subparagraph A are elongated in U-shaped members having a rounded apex front surface in contact with said side members and substantially parallel legs extending into said side seal guide means.

7. The invention of claim 6 in which said first and second compression arms of subparagraph B2 contact said first and second side seals between said legs and adjacent said front surface.

8. In combination with a coke oven having a leveler opening, a pusher machine having a sleeve formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom wall and adapted for sealing engagement with said opening, and a leveler bar formed by a pair of spaced side members connected by cross members and adapted for movement within said sleeve and said leveler opening to level coal in said coke oven the improvement comprising:

a. a first side seal in contact with one side wall of said sleeve and one side member of said leveler bar and a second side seal in contact with the other side wall of said sleeve and the other, side member of said leveler bar;

b. side seal guide means in said sleeve adapted to re strain movement of said first and second side seals in the direction of movement of said leveler bar in said sleeve;

c. top plate guide means in said sleeve extending transversely across said sleeve;

(1. a first and second compression arm slidably positioned in said top plate guide means with said first compression arm in contact with said first side seal and said second compression arm in contact with said second side seal;

e. a first pin fastened to said first compression arm and a second pin fastened to said second compression arm;

f. bolt means connecting said first and second pin with a shank slidably extending through said first and second pins;

g. a spring concentrically mounted on said shank adapted to urge said first and second pins toward each other to maintain said first and second side seals in contact with said side members of said leveler bar;

h. an elongated cover plate slidably positioned on the top of said leveler bar;

i. an upstanding flange extending transversely across the front end of said cover plate, said flange slidably extended into said top plate guide means; and

j. said cover plate extending back along said leveler bar away from said upstanding flange a distance not less than the distance between two consecutive cross members to provide a seal between said leveler bar and said top wall of said sleeve. 

1. In combination with a coke oven having a leveler opening, a pusher machine having a sleeve formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom wall and adapted for sealing engagement with said opening, and a leveler bar formed by a pair of spaced side members connected by cross members and adapted for movement within said sleeve and said leveler opening to level coal in said coke oven the improvement comprising: A. a first side seal in contact with one sidewall of said sleeve and one side member of said leveler bar and a second side seal in contact with the other sidewall of said sleeve and the other side member of said leveler bar; B. yieldable means interconnecting said first and second side seals to maintain said first and second side seals in contact with said side members of said leveler bar; and C. a top seal in contact with said top wall of said sleeve.
 2. The invention of claim 1 which further includes: D. side seal guide means in said sleeve adapted to restrain movement of said first and second side seals in the direction of movement of said leveler bar in said sleeve.
 3. The invention of claim 2 in which said yieldable means of subparagraph B includes: B1. top plate guide means in said sleeve extending transversely across said top plate of said sleeve; B2. a first and second compression arm slidably positioned in said top plate guide means with said first compression arm in contact with said first side seal and said second compression arm in contact with said second side seal; and B3. spring means to urge said first and second compression arms against said first and second side seals.
 4. The invention of claim 3 in which said top seal of subparagraph C includes: C1. an elongated cover plate slidably positioned on the top of said leveler bar; C2. an upstanding flange extending transversely across the front end of said cover plate, said flange slidably extended into said top plate guide means; and C3. said cover plate extending back along said leveler bar away from said upstanding flange, a distance not less than the distance between two consecutive cross members.
 5. The invention of claim 4 in which said spring means of subparagraph B3 includes: B3a. a first pin fastened to said first compression arm and a second pin fastened to said compression arm; B3b. bolt means comprising said first and second pins with a shank slidably extending through said first and second pins; and B3c. a spring concentrically mounted on said shank adapted to urge said first and second pins toward each other.
 6. The invention of claim 5 in which said first and second side seals of subparagraph A are elongated in U-shaped members having a rounded apex front surface in contact with said side members and substantially parallel legs extending into said side seal guide means.
 7. The invention of claim 6 in which said first and second compression arms of subparagraph B2 contact said first and second side seals between said legs and adjacent said front surface.
 8. In combination with a coke oven having a Leveler opening, a pusher machine having a sleeve formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom wall and adapted for sealing engagement with said opening, and a leveler bar formed by a pair of spaced side members connected by cross members and adapted for movement within said sleeve and said leveler opening to level coal in said coke oven the improvement comprising: a. a first side seal in contact with one side wall of said sleeve and one side member of said leveler bar and a second side seal in contact with the other side wall of said sleeve and the other side member of said leveler bar; b. side seal guide means in said sleeve adapted to restrain movement of said first and second side seals in the direction of movement of said leveler bar in said sleeve; c. top plate guide means in said sleeve extending transversely across said sleeve; d. a first and second compression arm slidably positioned in said top plate guide means with said first compression arm in contact with said first side seal and said second compression arm in contact with said second side seal; e. a first pin fastened to said first compression arm and a second pin fastened to said second compression arm; f. bolt means connecting said first and second pin with a shank slidably extending through said first and second pins; g. a spring concentrically mounted on said shank adapted to urge said first and second pins toward each other to maintain said first and second side seals in contact with said side members of said leveler bar; h. an elongated cover plate slidably positioned on the top of said leveler bar; i. an upstanding flange extending transversely across the front end of said cover plate, said flange slidably extended into said top plate guide means; and j. said cover plate extending back along said leveler bar away from said upstanding flange a distance not less than the distance between two consecutive cross members to provide a seal between said leveler bar and said top wall of said sleeve. 